I don't think there's a thread started for 2024.
I've just heard of the first sighting of a swallow in the Midlands.
It's getting to that time of year, when those hirundinidaes, or for the less educated like me, swifts, swallows, house and sand martins are returning to the UK to breed. We've read and heard the stories where the nesting sites have been blocked, off with netting etc, here we can share the happier moments of these birds in their majesty.
They can be tricky to photograph in flight, fast, darting around, up-down. flying around (for those wondering, the words came from the opening theme to Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines film, where a group of wouldbe aviators flew from London to Paris in around 25 hours during the VERY early days of flying, theme tune HERE),.
Why not have a go, so I'll start the 2024 thread off with, very much a case of grab the camera and shoot photos.
The link to last years thread Swifts, Swallows & Martins, share your photos and videos here 2023, and many thanks to Linda for kickstarting last years thread, for those who want to look back at the many photos shared, and all were good and most welcome to view.
Swifts, Swallows & Martins, share your photos and videos here 2023
This photo is from 9th September 2023, the days when we has lots of sun! Praying for a return of the sun, soon....
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
SnappyMac said:Nice close ups
Thank you
That was a good holiday, the first proper holiday post accident 2015.
The housemartin pics were very cropped, but the light was perfect
William Parsons said:Great shots.
Thank you William.
The light was perfect which enabled heavy cropping of the photos
Mike B said:I'm guessing the local swift chicks have fledged,due to the sudden increase in number flying overhead. It won't be long before they start to fly south
"Bon voyage"
I'm guessing the local swifts have all departed from here, it's all quiet in the skies for now. The last observed swifts, was just two airborne early in the morning on Thursday 01 August.
Charlecote Park, the sun was out, so were the housemartins, and I don't think I've ever seen so many.
Virtually ALL nests were active, and I don't think it'll be long before this one fledges
These aren't quite ready to fledge
yes, there are two chicks to be fed.
These could be very young, the parents are going into the nest to feed them
just before the tail disappears
House Martins and Swallows from today - getting ready to head south now.
Great flight photo's Bob, I particularly like the second photo.
Bobs_Retired said:House Martins and Swallows from today - getting ready to head south now.
Nice to see, and blue sky as well.
Lovely set of shots Bob, I can never get in flight shots like that
Great set of pics.
Lovely pics Bob.